Locking systems with multifactor authentication and changing passcodes

Abstract

A computer-based locking system using changing passcodes includes an application server and an application in electronic communication with the application server. The application runs on a computing device. The application may request an input passcode from the application server based on a lock ID. The application server retrieves an algorithm from a database using the lock ID and generates the input passcode using the algorithm with a time as the input. A lock includes a passcode interface and a locking mechanism with the passcode interface being capable of capturing the input passcode. The lock executes the algorithm locally to generate a local passcode based on current time. The lock releases the locking mechanism in response to the input passcode matching the local passcode.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-based locking system using changing passcodes, comprising:
 an application server; 
 an application running on a computing device and in electronic communication with the application server,
 wherein the application is configured to request an input passcode from the application server based on a lock ID, 
 wherein the application server is configured to store a plurality of lock IDs each in association with a unique lock algorithm selected from a plurality of predetermined algorithms, 
 wherein the application server is configured to retrieve an associated lock algorithm from a database using the lock ID, and 
 wherein the application server is configured to generate the input passcode from a time using the associated lock algorithm; and 
 
 a lock comprising a passcode interface, a locking mechanism, and an electromechanical actuator,
 wherein the lock ID corresponds to the lock, 
 wherein the passcode interface is configured to capture the input passcode, 
 wherein the lock is configured to execute the associated lock algorithm locally to generate a plurality of local passcodes based on a plurality of times includes a current time and times near the current time, and 
 wherein the lock is configured to release the locking mechanism by actuating the electromechanical actuator to trigger translation of the locking mechanism into an open position, in response to the input passcode matching at least one local passcode from the plurality of local passcodes. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The computer-based locking system of  claim 1 , wherein the application server uses a current time as the time to generate the input passcode from the time using the associated lock algorithm. 
     
     
       3. The computer-based locking system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the request from the application includes a future time; and 
 the application server uses the future time as the time to generate the input passcode from the time using the associated lock algorithm. 
 
     
     
       4. The computer-based locking system of  claim 1 , wherein the passcode interface comprises a keypad. 
     
     
       5. A method comprising:
 storing, by the application server, a plurality of lock IDs each in association with a unique lock algorithm selected from a plurality of predetermined algorithms; 
 receiving, by an application server, a request for an input passcode based on a lock ID, 
 retrieving, by the application server, an associated lock algorithm from a database using the lock ID; 
 generating, by the application server, the input passcode from a time using the associated lock algorithm; 
 capturing, by a lock, the input passcode entered into a passcode interface; 
 executing, by the lock, the associated lock algorithm locally to generate a plurality of local passcodes based on a plurality of times including a current time and times near the current time; and 
 releasing, by the lock, a locking mechanism by actuating an electromechanical actuator to trigger translation of the locking mechanism into an open position, in response to the input passcode matching at least one local passcode from the plurality of local passcodes. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the application server uses a current time as the time to generate the input passcode from the time using the associated lock algorithm. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the request for the input passcode includes a future time; and 
 the application server uses the future time as the time to generate the input passcode from the time using the associated lock algorithm. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the passcode interface comprises a keypad. 
     
     
       9. A lock comprising:
 a locking mechanism comprising a shank configured to translate away from the lock to release the lock and translate towards the lock to secure the lock; and 
 a passcode interface in communication with the locking mechanism,
 wherein the passcode interface is configured to capture an input passcode, 
 wherein the lock is configured to execute an algorithm locally to generate a plurality of local passcodes based on a plurality of times including a current time and times near the current time, and 
 wherein the lock is configured to release the locking mechanism by translating the shank away from the lock, in response to the input passcode matching at least one local passcode from the plurality of local passcodes. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The lock of  claim 9 , wherein a clock maintained in the lock is synchronized with an application server. 
     
     
       11. The lock of  claim 9 , further comprising a processor configured to execute the algorithm locally to generate the local passcode based on the time and compare the local passcode to the input passcode. 
     
     
       12. The lock of  claim 9 , wherein the passcode interface comprises a keypad. 
     
     
       13. The lock of  claim 9 , wherein the passcode interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to communicate with a mobile computing device.